The higher education foundational concentration provides professional courses addressing leadership, law, finance, advancement, strategic planning, policy, historical context, learning theory, ethics, and the integration and application of technology. The research core provides a solid background in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, culminating in your dissertation study.  The specialty course sequence lends flexibility so that you can focus on a particular area of interest in higher education.

Foundational Concentration

Purpose: To develop a fundamental knowledge of higher education

24 credits

• HED 705 Introduction to Higher Education (3)
• HED 710 Higher Education Administration (3)
• HED 715 Change and Innovation in Higher Education (3)
• HED 720 Cognition, Learning, and Pedagogy (3)
• HED 725 Finance and Strategic Planning (3)
• HED 730 Ethics and Decision Making (3)
• HED 733 Public Policy and Legal Issues (3)
• HED 820 Applied Field Experience and Seminar (3)

Research Core: (12 credits + 9 for dissertation)

Purpose: To build an understanding of and gain practice in using research methodologies

21 credits

• HED 702 Methods of Research (3)
• HED 703 Advanced Research Methodologies: Qualitative and Quantitative (3)
• HED 704 Advanced Research: Action Research Design (3)
• HED 790 Dissertation Seminar (3)
• HED 797, 798-800 Dissertation I, II, III (9)

Specialty Areas

Purpose: To focus and refine skills and knowledge in higher education

15 credits

• HED 731 Best Practices in College Teaching and Learning (3)
• HED 732 Evaluation and Assessment in College Teaching (3)
• HED 740 Curriculum Design, Delivery, and Assessment (3)
• HED 748 Enrollment Management (3)
• HED 750 Student Services in Higher Education (3)
• HED 755 Institutional and Program Evaluation (3)
• HED 760 Current Issues in Higher Education (3)
• HED 765 Advanced Topics in Higher Education  (Independent Study) (1-3)
• GEN 505* Adult Human Development (3)

*required for students who have not had a graduate-level human development course.

TOTAL CREDITS: 60

All students entering the program must hold a master's degree.
The 60 credits are beyond the student's master's degree.

For more information about course requirements and academic advising, please contact Dr. Judy Witt at jwitt@immaculata.edu or 610-647-4400 ext. 3896.